Is the Hook-snouted worm snake venomous?

No. The Hook-snouted worm snake (Myriopholis macrorhyncha) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.

Is the Hook-snouted worm snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hook-snouted worm snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Hook-snouted worm snake dangerous?

The Hook-snouted worm snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Hook-snouted worm snake live?

The Hook-snouted worm snake has verified records in 20 countries, including Iran (Islamic Republic of), Türkiye, United Arab Emirates. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Leptotyphlopidae

Hook-snouted worm snake

Harmless

Myriopholis macrorhyncha

Hook-snouted worm snake — Myriopholis macrorhyncha, © Kian

6 photographs of the Hook-snouted worm snake. © Kian.

The Hook-snouted worm snake (Myriopholis macrorhyncha) is a non-venomous snake in the Leptotyphlopidae family, recorded in 20 countries.

Family: Leptotyphlopidae

About the Hook-snouted worm snake

Myriopholis macrorhyncha, also known as the long-nosed worm snake or hook-snouted worm snake is a harmless blind snake species found in northern Africa and southwestern Asia. No subspecies are currently recognized.

Description

This reptile's appearance is similar to M. cairi.

Geographic range

Found in isolated populations across northern Africa and in southwestern Asia. In Africa it occurs in Morocco, Mauritania, Senegal, Guinea, Ghana, Algeria, Tunisia, Niger, Libya, Chad, Mali, Egypt, Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia. In Asia it has been reported in Aden (Yemen), Turkey, Iran, Israel, Iraq and Pakistan. The type locality given is "Sennaar" (Sudan).

Taxonomy

A subspecies, M. m. bilmaensis Angel, 1936, found in Niger was recognized by Hahn (1980).

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Hook-snouted worm snake

Is the Hook-snouted worm snake venomous?: No. The Hook-snouted worm snake (Myriopholis macrorhyncha) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
Is the Hook-snouted worm snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Hook-snouted worm snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Hook-snouted worm snake dangerous?: The Hook-snouted worm snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Hook-snouted worm snake live?: The Hook-snouted worm snake has verified records in 20 countries, including Iran (Islamic Republic of), Türkiye, United Arab Emirates. See the distribution section below for its full range.

More Leptotyphlopidae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Leptotyphlopidae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Myriopholis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Myriopholis macrorhyncha

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.